Super Food Saturday -Pumpkin Walnut Cookies

 

Pumpkin Walnut Cookies

I have been trying to eat a healthier diet. That has meant cutting sugar. But sometimes I just need a sweet treat. This recipe has just a tiny bit of honey and sugar-free chocolate chips.  I store them in the refrigerator.

Ingredients
¾ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup coconut oil melted
5 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons honey
1/3 cup coconut flour
1 ½ cup almond flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup sugar free chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, oil, eggs, vanilla and honey.

In a separate bowl mix the flours, walnuts, chocolate chips, baking powder, and spices.

Add the wet ingredients to the wet ingredients.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop a 2 tablespoon size drop of dough onto the sheet.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until no longer wet and are starting to turn brown.

*********************

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

 

Chris is a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

 

She has appeared three times at the Para triathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Para triathlon Open Division Champion.

She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua bike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.

 

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  

 

She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.

 

She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling and triathlon. She has represented America as an age group athlete at world championships in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the Winter Duathlon World Championship in 2023 in Norway.

 

In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.

 

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

 

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” which details her experience as a CMT-affected athlete, and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

 

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland, and Sweden! If you wish to join us visit our website; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

 

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

 

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance, and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

 

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

 

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

 

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and hearing loss.

 

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete, and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete, and CMT. Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA, #kneedeepinwo

 

 

 

 

 

Soup Sunday -Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

 

This recipe is fresh from the garden. I had an abundance of peppers, tomatoes, and zucchini in my garden, so I developed this recipe to take advantage of all that bounty. I topped the soup with freshly grated parmesan cheese, but bacon would be great as well.

Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

Ingredients

·         For the roasted tomatoes

·         3 pounds Roma or plum tomatoes, cut in half

·         1 ½ red bell pepper, seeded and cut in half.

·         4 cloves garlic, peeled

·         3 tablespoons olive oil

·         Freshly ground salt and pepper

For the caramelized onions

·         2½ tablespoon olive oil

·         2 yellow onions, thinly sliced

Additions to the soup:

·         ½ cup packed basil leaves

·         1 cup of half and half

·         Grated Parmesan cheese

·         ½ teaspoon dried oregano

·         1-2 cups water or vegetarian broth, depending on how thick you want the soup

·         1 ground zucchini ( 1 small zucchini added to 2 cups of water in a blender)

·         Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste

 

Directions

Preheat an oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add olive oil.  Place the tomatoes, garlic and the peppers. Drizzle with olive oil Season with salt and pepper. Roast until the vegetables are soft which takes about 45 to 50 minutes.  Cool for 10 minutes once removed from the oven.

While the vegetables are roasting, add the olive oil and onions to a sauté pan.  Cook over medium heat stirring often until the onions are caramelized or a deep brown. This will take about 20 minutes. Set aside until the vegetables are roasted and cooled.

Put the ground zucchini into a soup pot or Dutch oven.  Heat using low eat. 

Add the roasted vegetables including all the juices to a blender and blend. Add the caramelized onions and blend. Add the basil leaves if using. Add the mixture to the ground zucchini.  Simmer over low heat until the entire mixture is heated.  Serves 6

***********************

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

 

Chris is a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

 

She has appeared three times at the Para triathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Para triathlon Open Division Champion.

She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua bike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.

 

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  

 

She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.

 

She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling and triathlon. She has represented America as an age group athlete at world championships in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the Winter Duathlon World Championship in 2023 in Norway.

 

In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.

 

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

 

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” which details her experience as a CMT-affected athlete, and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

 

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland, and Sweden! If you wish to join us visit our website; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

 

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

 

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance, and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

 

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

 

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

 

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and hearing loss.

 

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete, and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete, and CMT. Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA, #kneedeepinwo

 

 

 

Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Fresh Mint

 

Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Fresh Mint

1 cup shredded chicken
4 cups shredded Napa Cabbage
1 carrot shredded
¼  cup chopped fresh mint
1 bunch green onions thinly sliced
1 (15 ounces) can of mandarin oranges
½ cup almonds chopped

Dressing
4 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon honey

 

Combine all the salad ingredients except the almonds.  Combine the dressing ingredients. Pour over the salad. Top with the chopped almonds.  Chill the salad and serve. Serves 4.

***********************

 

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

 

Chris is a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

 

She has appeared three times at the Para triathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Para triathlon Open Division Champion.

She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua bike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.

 

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  

 

She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.

 

She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling and triathlon. She has represented America as an age group athlete at world championships in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the Winter Duathlon World Championship in 2023 in Norway.

 

In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.

 

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

 

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” which details her experience as a CMT-affected athlete, and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

 

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland, and Sweden! If you wish to join us visit our website; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

 

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

 

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance, and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

 

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

 

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

 

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and hearing loss.

 

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete, and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete, and CMT. Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA, #kneedeepinwo

 

I thought I would start up my healthy eating posts again.  In April I changed my diet, cutting back on dairy, refined grains, and sugar. I wanted to be healthier and I have also dropped about 10 pounds. I also had extra zucchini in my garden, so this recipe came in handy.

Keto Zucchini Bread

2 cups grated zucchini
2 cups almond flour
½ cup coconut flour
½ cup Stevia
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts
½ cup melted butter
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F
In a large mixing bowl mix the flours stevia, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nuts, and spices. Set aside
Drain any excess liquid from the zucchini.  Add the zucchini to a mixing bowl with the eggs, vanilla, and melted butter.  Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture.  Mix until just blended. Do not over mix. Top with additional chopped walnuts
Pour the batter into a parchment lined loaf pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.  This bread makes a large loaf and freezes well.

********************

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

 

Chris is a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

 

She has appeared three times at the Para triathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Para triathlon Open Division Champion.

She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua bike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.

 

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  

 

She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.

 

She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling and triathlon. She has represented America as an age group athlete at world championships in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the Winter Duathlon World Championship in 2023 in Norway.

 

In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.

 

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

 

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” which details her experience as a CMT-affected athlete, and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

 

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland, and Sweden! If you wish to join us visit our website; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

 

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

 

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance, and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

 

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

 

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

 

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and hearing loss.

 

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete, and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete, and CMT. Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA, #kneedeepinwo

Ugly Dog Gravel Triathlon- Practice Run

 

                                                    Ugly Dog Gravel Triathlon, Grass Lake Michigan 2024

"The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success, but on significance and then the small steps ANd little victories along your path will have greater meaning."-Oprah Winfrey

The Ugly Dog race was the first gravel race I did. I remember being nervous about the bike portion on gravel roads. I really had nothing to worry about since gravel is much less technical than doing a mountain bike race. 

For the first two years, I did the aqua bike. This year I would be racing as a para-triathlete in the sprint triathlon.  I signed up for the triathlon for two reasons. I need a timed triathlon race to qualify for next year's National Senior Games in Des Moines.  Since it is driving distance I want to participate.

Second I wanted some experience running on trails. I am registered for the Gravel Triathlon National Championship race in September in Michigan.  Doing this race would be a great practice run. I can take what I learn to improve for that race.

The weather this summer has not cooperated with doing trail runs. It seems like it has rained 4 to 5 times per week keeping the trails ready.  House project kept me from the gravel trails.

My training this summer has been rather relaxed. I have drastically reduced the number of races. My training has been for an hour or two each day doing whatever I feel like doing.  I have not been following a training plan.  I had not been to the pool for two weeks due to family visiting.

My teammate Cheryl Kearney's brother lives on the lake where the race is held. So it has become a family and friend weekend. She was just out of a cast for a wrist break and would be doing the duathlon.  We both looked at this as a training race.

I lined up for the swim feeling totally relaxed. I chatted with the other women around me. They asked about the roads and I told them not to worry because they were great.  The start was a time trial, with swimmers in the water every 3 seconds.  I remember a time when the swim really stressed me. Not anymore.

The swim buoys looked longer than the reported 750 m distance.  The water temp was reported to be 76F but felt colder. I wore a sleeveless wetsuit.  To help me concentrate I swam 50 easy strokes and then 50 hard. I passed quite a few swimmers and soon I was out of the water.

Next was the bike portion on gravel forest roads. I got on the course and reached down for my water bottle. I had forgotten to load it on my bike. The same mistake I made last year. At the turn around I begged half a bottle of water off of a volunteer.  The road was really sandy.  Much different from the last two years. I had to walk up one hill due to sand.  The course conditions really slowed me down. It was however a beautiful ride in the shady woods that was welcome on a hot day. So much better than riding on a hot road.

Next was a 5K trail run.  Trail runs have lots of roots, rocks, and uneven surfaces. With my foot drop and weak ankles, I was worried about falls. I fell twice last year on the run during the National Championship in Arkansas. I tried hard to pay attention.  I had a couple of trips from roots. I had a sudden fall where I was face down in the dirt.  I saved several other runners stumble and Cheryl said she had a fall. I finished in one piece at time of 2:45 I missed a turn on the bike so I hope to do better in my next race.  I was the only adaptive athlete so I took first place.

I made a few mistakes I need to fix for the National Championship race in September.  Hopefully, the weather cooperates and I get in some quality training on the trails.

**************************

                                 1st Mobility Impaired Division Boston Marathon 2012

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

 

Chris is a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

 

She has appeared three times at the Para Triathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Para triathlon Open Division Champion.

She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua Bike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.

 

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  

 

She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.

 

She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling and triathlon. She has represented America as an age group athlete at world championships in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the Winter Duathlon World Championship in 2023 in Norway.

 

In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.

 

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

 

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” which details her experience as a CMT-affected athlete, and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

 

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland, and Sweden! If you wish to join us visit our website; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

 

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

 

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance, and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

 

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

 

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

 

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and hearing loss.

 

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete, and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete, and CMT. Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA, #kneedeepinwo

 

 

 

Pan American Masters Games- Cleveland 2024

 

"For we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."- Ephesians 2:10

Sometimes I try to pack too much into a Summer weekend.  We have such a short season that events often overlap or occur at the same time.  The weekend of July 13 and 14th, I had a conference in Chicago and a race in Cleveland on the same weekend. I knew it was going to be a challenge.

The first event was the Issues Etc, the conference for Christian laity on the campus of Concordia Chicago. The event started on Friday at 3 pm and was scheduled to finish on Saturday at 7 pm. The problem was I needed to be in Chicago on Sunday morning for the Pan American Masters Games. I was scheduled to race in the sprint duathlon. The problem was it was a 7-hour drive to Cleveland and transition opened at 5 am.  So I had to calculate how long I could stay at the conference and still get to Cleveland at a reasonable time to get some sleep before the race.

One of the reasons I wanted to go to the conference was I wanted to hear athlete Riley Gains speak. She talked about the challenging situations she found herself in when forced to compete against a trans athlete. One thing she said that I did not agree with is that God raises up the unprepared. In my journey, I can see many things in my life that have prepared me as an athlete to raise awareness of CMT.

So I left the conference at 2:30 missing some great speakers, but I wanted to get some rest before the race.  Most of the way to Cleveland I listened to coverage of the Trump shooting.  I pulled into Cleveland about 9:30 p.m.  It was about 10:30 by the time I got to bed and was up at 3:30.  I never sleep much before a race, but at least I got some rest.

I was on to the venue by 3:45. I stayed about 20 minutes from the venue and wanted to give time to navigate closed roads. The roads around the venue were supposed to be open until 5 am, but as I tried to get to the site I found every road blocked. I later found out a new Superman movie was being filmed causing the closures.  I remembered from the race instructions about one road remaining open. I made my way there and followed it. I got to a really big park and then started to see cars. I followed them right to the venue. 

Doing any multi-sport race now has really become routine. I had signed up for the duathlon because I did not want to swim in Lake Erie. There have been problems with rough waters at past national championship races. I signed up for the Pan American Games because it is a World Championship drawing athletes from 70 countries.  The race also offered para-divisions.  

I lined up for the start of the duathlon. The start official told us the race was being held under yellow flag conditions due to high heat and humidity. That meant we were to proceed with caution. I was kind of wishing I was doing the swim since the water ended up being flat and calm. Being wet from the swim does keep me cooler for the rest of the race.

Here in the U.S., a sprint duathlon is a 2.5 K run, 20 K bike, and 5 K run.  This race would be run with international rules, meaning the longer run would start the race.

The race was pretty routine. I was warned the bike course had a portion going over a bridge with a washboard surface. It caused the bike to shake for several miles.  We got to pass the Cleveland Browns football stadium and Roll Hall of Fame. It was really hot and humid by the end of the bike and I was happy I just had a 2.5 K run left.  I set off on the run. As I ran I realized I should have finished and was out on the first run course. By this time the triathlon athletes were on the run course. I had been directed the wrong way by a volunteer. I found out later a few of the timing employees were sent to the course and made the mistake. I overheard at least one other athlete had the same thing happen. It added at least an extra mile to my race. I had wanted to finish in under 2 hours and still made it in 2 hours even.

Because I was the only para-athlete, I got a gold medal. I do not feel bad because many of the age group categories had less than three athletes.

  I left as soon as I got my medal because I had a 7-hour drive home.  With only a few hours of sleep, the drive back was a challenge. I packed lots into the weekend and am glad it all went well,.

***************************

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

 

Chris is a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

 

She has appeared three times at the Para Triathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Para triathlon Open Division Champion.

She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua Bike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.

 

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  

 

She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.

 

She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling and triathlon. She has represented America as an age group athlete at world championships in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the Winter Duathlon World Championship in 2023 in Norway.

 

In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.

 

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

 

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” which details her experience as a CMT-affected athlete, and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

 

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland, and Sweden! If you wish to join us visit our website; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

 

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

 

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance, and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

 

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

 

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

 

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and hearing loss.

 

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete, and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete, and CMT. Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA, #kneedeepinwo

Not the Race I Planned- Pleasant Prairie Duathlon

 

" Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today's mighty oak is yesterday's nut that held its ground."  Rosa Parks

Sometimes the biggest drama happens well before the actual race, making race day a bit anticlimactic. I signed up for the 2024 Paratriathlon National Championship for two reasons.

First, it was being held in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin a 35-minute drive from my house. There would be little travel or expense to complete.  I've done this event in Texas and Arizona winning the Physically Challenged (PC) division multiple times.

Second I was hoping to finally be classified so  I can compete as a PC athlete at an age group world championship. I first started this process in my first year at the National Championship in 2012 in Austin.

I believe the system really does not know how to access those with conditions like mine. An athlete is examined by two accessors.  I do not know how we are graded. It is not a very transparent process. The exam is similar to the one given by my neurologist. I have never been successful always being told I am too strong.

I applied to get a classification appointment. The problem is I no longer have a qualifying race time.  I need to complete a qualifying triathlon in about 1 hour 22 minutes. That is not possible at my age and with my condition.  Divisions in parat-triathlon are arranged by impairment.  There used to be a division just for those with neuromuscular conditions.  We are now grouped with single-limb impairment amputees and have the fastest requirement time. I could make the qualifying time from any of the other groups.

I applied for an appointment and at first was accepted. Then an email exchange started. I was told I could not get an appointment for classification.  This happened twice. I explained my goals and that I was not trying to break into the elite ranks.

There are a limited number of appointments, but I hoped for an exception due to my goals and my years in the sport.  I also requested the appointment to make USAT aware of my situation and to push for change.  I am hoping the neuromuscular category will be restored to promote the inclusion of my athletes with neuromuscular conditions.

I have been a good soldier and competed in the open division for years.  I decided not to do that this time because I feel it supports a system that excludes athletes like me. I appreciate the progress made in the sport and the support I have gotten from USAT.  There is still work to be done.  I was told USAT is asking for a PC open division at age group World Championships. That would be wonderful, but I have heard this before. 

So instead I transferred to the duathlon.  I asked to be scored as a para-athlete.  Instead, I was placed in an age group division. Racing in the duathlon would help me reach some of my goals this year.

The race itself was pretty routine since I have raced at this venue almost a dozen times.  I decided to use the event and training and just have fun.  

I was able to have a mistake-free race and had a good time visiting with the other athletes at the start.  Because I took it easy my time of 2:08: 30 was not great.  I did not stay for the award ceremony since I had a meeting I needed to attend.

I ended up finishing 1st out of 4 women in my age group. I finished 50 minutes faster than the 2nd place woman.  So not the race I wanted, but still a good result.  I will continue to work for the great inclusion of athletes like myself in para-triathlon.  It is so important for both physical and mental health with my condition to stay active. Racing keeps me motivated to do the training needed to race.

Next up in the Pan American Master's Game duathlon in Cleveland where I will be racing as a para-athlete.

*********************

Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

 

Chris is a triathlete Nordic skier and long-distance runner. She is a three-time participant in the Boston Marathon.  In 2012 she finished 2nd at Boston in the Mobility Impaired Division. She was on the course in 2013 when the bombs exploded.

 

She has appeared three times at the Para triathlon National Triathlon Sprint Championship. She was the 2012 and 2014 National Champion Para triathlon Open Division Champion.

She has won national championships as a physically challenged athlete in Aqualon, Duathlon, Aqua bike, and Winter Triathlon. She was the national champion in her age group in 2023 for gravel duathlon.

 

 In 2014 she represented the U.S. as a Para triathlete at the Pan-American Triathlon Championship in Dallas, Texas.  

 

She was the 2023 Gravel Duathlon National Champion in the 65-69 age group.

 

She has won state championships as an age-group athlete in cycling and triathlon. She has represented America as an age group athlete at world championships in Chicago, Denmark, Cozumel, and Norway. She earned a bronze medal at the Winter Duathlon World Championship in 2023 in Norway.

 

In 2020 she was named a National Ski Patrol Subaru Ambassador and a USA Triathlon Foundation Ambassador.

 

She travels around the country raising awareness of CMT.

 

She is the author of the book, “Running for My Life” which details her experience as a CMT-affected athlete, and the book “Soup Sundays, A Journey Toward Healthy Eating”.

http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/memoir-biography/215-running-for-my-life-winning-for-cmt-9781595982827.html

 

You may visit her author page at:
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Wodke/e/B00IJ02HX6

 

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and find a cure for CMT. We currently have 257 athletes in 43 states. We also have members in Australia, Canada, England, Finland, Vietnam, Iran, Scotland, France, Turkey, Poland, Norway, Mexico, Wales, Ireland, and Sweden! If you wish to join us visit our website; www.run4cmt.com or www.hnf-cure.org

 

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

 

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance, and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

 

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

 

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

 

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties, and hearing loss.

 

Keywords: Running, Running and CMT, triathlon, triathlon and CMT, athlete and CMT, cycling and CMT, Para triathlon, challenged athlete, Team CMT, Running for My Life-Winning for CMT. Hereditary Neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth.

CMT and running, CMT and triathlon, CMT and athlete, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and running, Charcot-Marie-Tooth and triathlon, Team USA and Team CMT, Running for my life-Winning for CMT, CMT athlete, athlete, and CMT, triathlete and CMT, Boston Marathon Bombing, CMT disease, CMT and exercise, exercise and CMT, CMT, athlete, and CMT. Team CMT, CMT athlete, athlete and CMT, bike4CMT, walk4CMT,  CMTA, HNF, Tri4CMT, Walk4CMT, MDA, #kneedeepinwo